Jesus is Coming Again

Revelation 1:1–8
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This book is the revelation concerning Jesus Christ. God gave the revelation of His plan to Jesus who in turn revealed it to John (v. 1). John opens the book by describing what he saw as “the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ” (v. 2). A blessing is promised to those who read this book as well as on those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it (v. 3). John tells us who Jesus is: the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth (vv. 4-6). Elders are exhorted to look for “He is coming.” This refers to His second coming which will be in the clouds. Every eye will see Him (v. 7). “They who pierced Him” could refer to the Roman soldiers piercing His side as He hung on the cross or to the Jews who were responsible for His death.

The Lord God is the beginning and the end (v. 8). His second coming will be visible to the entire world, including unbelievers. This is in contrast to His first coming at His Birth in Bethlehem and also the future rapture of the church, which probably will not be visible to the earth as a whole. The transmission of the message of this book comes from the Father to the Son, through a mediating angel to John the Apostle to God’s servants.

Application

How often do I think about the last days? If I knew for sure that Jesus would return tomorrow, what would I do today that I have not already planned to do?